How to Get More Out of the New Siri: Apple's Biggest AI Upgrade Yet
If you’ve ever asked Siri a question and gotten a robotic, out-of-context answer — or watched it completely give up and hand you off to a web search — you’re not alone. For years, Siri felt like the weakest link in Apple’s lineup. But this week at WWDC 2026, Apple announced a complete rebuild of Siri, and it’s finally the assistant people were hoping it would be a decade ago. Here’s what’s actually new, why it matters, and how to start using it properly.
What Is the New Siri, Really?
The old Siri was built around commands: you’d bark a short instruction, and it would either understand it or it wouldn’t. There was no back-and-forth, no context, no memory. Each conversation was a blank slate.
The new Siri — arriving with iOS 27 — is built more like a conversational AI assistant. It remembers what you said earlier in a session, can handle multi-step requests, and lets you share files and images directly with it. It’s also powered by a large language model (think the same kind of technology behind ChatGPT and Claude) rather than the older command-recognition system.
Perhaps the most notable change: Apple is letting you choose your AI engine. By default, Siri will use Google’s Gemini model, but iOS 27 allows you to switch to Claude or ChatGPT instead — a first for Apple.
How Does It Work?
Think of it like upgrading from a vending machine to a real conversation. The old Siri was the vending machine: you pressed a button, it dispensed an answer. If you pressed the wrong button — or the button didn’t exist — it just shrugged.
The new Siri is more like having a capable assistant sitting beside you. You can say “book me a dinner reservation for two on Friday, somewhere near downtown, not too loud,” and it will actually work through the steps — checking available restaurants, filtering by noise level, and completing the booking — without you having to spell out each micro-task.
Under the hood, it’s processing your full request, breaking it into steps, using your context, and calling on apps and services on your behalf. It doesn’t just answer questions; it takes actions.
How to Try It Yourself
Once you’ve updated to iOS 27, here are some practical ways to actually test the new Siri:
Start with a multi-step request:
“Text Mom that I’m running 10 minutes late, then add ‘pick up coffee’ to my reminders for this afternoon.”
This would have stumped old Siri. Try it and see how the new version handles it as a single, seamless task.
Share a document and ask questions about it:
Upload a PDF or screenshot, then ask: “Can you summarize the key points from this?” or “Is there anything in here I need to act on today?”
Ask for something context-aware:
“What’s on my calendar tomorrow, and are there any emails I haven’t replied to that seem urgent?”
Siri can now look across your apps and pull together an answer — no switching between Calendar and Mail.
Try switching your AI model: Go to Settings → Apple Intelligence & Siri → AI Model and experiment with Gemini, Claude, or ChatGPT to see which one gives you answers you prefer. Each has different strengths — Claude tends to do well with writing tasks, Gemini is strong on search and real-time information.
Tips to Get Better Results
Give it context, not just commands. The new Siri responds much better when you describe what you’re trying to accomplish. Instead of “set a reminder,” try “remind me to call the dentist tomorrow morning before 10 — I keep forgetting.”
Use it across apps, not just as a voice tool. The rebuilt Siri integrates deeply with apps including Notes, Mail, Calendar, and Messages. Ask it to draft a reply to an email, summarize a long note, or rearrange your schedule — you don’t always need to speak; you can type directly to it too.
Take advantage of follow-up questions. Siri now remembers what you said in the same conversation. If you ask it to help you write an email, you can follow up with “make it shorter” or “add a line asking if they’re free Thursday” — no need to repeat yourself.
Pick the right model for the job. This is new territory for Apple users. If you’re doing a quick web lookup, the default Gemini model is fast and up-to-date. If you’re working on a longer writing task or need nuanced help, switching to Claude is worth trying.
Don’t abandon it after one bad answer. Like any AI assistant, Siri sometimes misses the mark. If the first response isn’t quite right, rephrase and try again. A small change in wording can make a big difference.
Closing Thought
The new Siri isn’t just a software update — it’s Apple finally taking AI seriously for everyday users. The shift from command-based to conversation-based changes what’s actually possible on your phone.
The best way to understand what it can do? Try asking it something you’ve always wanted an assistant to handle, but gave up expecting technology to manage. You might be surprised how far it’s come.
Start small: the next time you’d normally open an app and tap through a few screens, try just asking Siri instead. That’s the habit that makes all of this actually useful.